No matter what you call them, pouffes, floor pillows, cushions, poufs — whatever — these beauties are the it accessory for the home right now, and I’m willing to bet into the new year and beyond. Loved for their versatility (foot stool, place to sit, or table), within reach pricing (at least most of the time), and overall cuteness factor, it’s hard to go wrong with something so right. Take this felt pouf from one of my favorite designers, Chris Labrooy. How can you not desire one of these in your home?

With so many hunting for durable pieces that perform double duty without taking up much-needed floor space, the pouf is perfect because you can easily tuck one away beneath a table. I think they look so stylish and often bring in the pattern, color, or texture that a room needs – the icing on the cake. In all its available shapes and sizes, why not check out a few of my favorites to see if anything clicks with you, perhaps you’d like one for yourself? I’ve included a few inspirational images from Living Etc. so you can see them in actual spaces.

First off, the Morrocan pouf – it’s the first thing I think of the moment I hear the p word. I love them in soft leather with the handstitched patterns, they’re very bohemian I think, they have that come relax in my casbah appeal. White leather is my favorite, but a close runner up is pale pink and then the turquoise ones – or something in a pale mustard. Aren’t these beauties from Graham and Greene the best? I like them around a coffee table for dining with friends. Also great for the patio in the warmer months, with candlelight of course.

This one from Shabby Chic is gorgeous, I saw it up close and personal in their new Boston/Natick store and it’s worth every penny. Even if you do need several hundred pennies to buy one. :)

Of course, you can get them in felt too, which really appeals to those living in colder climates I think. Leather is nice, but if you live in a region that is cold for most of the year, then you may be more inclined to find something in wool or cotton. I like this felted pouf from Danish Bohema (a site I found thanks to Leah) because it has an embroidered pattern much like the Moroccan ones above. This one is made by En Gry & Sif of Copenhagen, distributed by Danish Bohema in the U.S. for $113 – which I think is a terrific price.

Shirdak out of the Netherlands also has some in felt showing off some bold ethnic patterns. I see floor cushions and poufs everywhere in decor over here, in all the magazines I flip through they’re in so many rooms – and also in the homes of my friends.

The Alseda is another that I really like, it’s a very affordable option for under $30 at IKEA and it’s very natural – made from banana fiber so it’s eco-friendly, too. Top it off with a silver tea tray set, Danielle from the Style Files uses hers for this purpose and I think it looks great near her fireplace.

Big on color and pattern? Although these are ottomans, they’re a great alternative if you seek something soft with a decorative pattern. I like these three from Anthropologie, some are under $300 on sale, so click here for the full scoop on that. Or this floor cushion made to resemble an ethnic style pouf from Urban Outfitters for only $40.

And of course, some more pouf inspiration in case you wonder about how to place them in your home. They aren’t just for the living room, you can use them just about anywhere you’d like.

Image from Het Kabinet.

And you can even sew a few up yourself. Amy Butler recently released a new pattern called Gumdrop Pillows, aren’t these the best?

And blogger Yvestown from the Netherlands got her hands on a pattern and using fabric from Cath Kidston, she crafted one for her home. (By the way, if you like CK stuff, you can now order a catalog right here at no cost.) Yvestown said that many more gumdrops will follow, as she seemed to really enjoy making this one. Isn’t it gorgeous? Here’s her photo below. I purchased fabric from Amy Butler to make one for my own living room when I’m back in the states (a winter project).

Looking for additional seating options that are pouf-like? Try Fat Boy, Livingstones by Smarin (shown below), and Blog Beanbags.

Hope this pouffe post gave you some decorating inspiration for today. I know it did for me, now I have to reupholster my ottoman and make a few gumdrop pillows. :)

{Sorry blogging has been light the past day or so, I’m still getting settled here in Germany, our schedule has been nonstop since we landed. I’ll see you tommorow!}

26 Responses to “Power Poufs!”

1 Peggy commented:
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:26 pm

Great post! I dearly love poufs and any kind of furniture that moved around on a whim, like ottomans. I like using ottomans for guests. Make great little areas for seating, gaming or eating. Thanks for sharing!
2 Lili commented:
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:41 pm

The Amy Butler poufs have been on my “to-do” sewing list for quite some time! I love them, and I think they can add some great color to any room.
3 ?l commented:
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:27 pm

I’m discovering your blog.
It’s amazing!!!
Thanks a lot for all the inspiring post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 jasper commented:
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:20 pm

these are beautiful! i am also loving the couch in the first picture. holly, do you have any idea who makes that couch? i couldn’t find it on the chris la brooy site… thanks in advance for any leads!!!
5 Anonymous commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 12:47 am

i bought 2 poufs from the big flea market in paris years ago. i heart them, and so does everyone that comes into our home!
6 adriana commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 1:34 am

these are awesome! Its giving me great ideas since my living room is quite… bare. Still trying to settle back in the states after two years of absence :)
7 lush commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 2:09 am

yvestown’s pouf is wonderful!! i have this pattern, but haven’t yet made one. thanks holly and yvestown for inspiring me to get started on this!
8 perfect bound commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 3:54 am

I can’t believe you found so many rooms with poufs!
9 wendy c commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 4:42 am

I am quite taken on your first image–the yellow felt pouf. I’m very interested to get more information about it and to purchase. Unfortunately, the links you posted didn’t have a reference to them. Would you be so kind to point me to the right directions? thanks much! W
10 katiedid commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 5:52 am

Hoping Germany is FAB! And I love a good pouf! Just sold a couple o a new client for the kids’ rooms.:)
11 juliette commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 7:03 am

i love the poufs too (husband is also convinced!) – I’m hoping to snag the pattern and some fabric over the holidays and have a friend sew one up for me. It seems like an affordable way to get my living room moving!
12 decor8 commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 7:16 am

Hi Wendy C – It’s from Chris Labrooy (link is in the post, first paragraph) to my knowledge – although they aren’t on his site yet, you can write to him and ask about it. It may be a new item, which is why it’s not listed there yet.
13 evalunda commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 8:36 am

I just discovered your blog. It is very inspiring for me as a designer. I hope to see my products for kids, Barnslig for IKEA, one day on your blog.
Eva Lundgreen freelance designer based in Tokyo(evalunda.blogspot.com)
14 Sanctuary commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 8:44 am

I am dreaming of a pouf or two, too :) I’m actually planning on getting two fairly low ones for my 1,5-year-old’s room to fit round a little table for drawing. I wonder if they would work ok instead of little chairs?
15 rachel commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 10:09 am

Amazing compilation! You make me spend hours browsing every single one of your post?and I have so much more to go?but I am so inspired!

I couldn’t ask for more…simply splendid! Thank you for sharing!
16 wendy c commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 2:52 pm

I just got a reply from Chris Labrooy and he said he hasn’t designed any poufs but designed the flet light shade that is in the background.:( Any other leads? btw, Thanks for the quick response :)
17 decor8 commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 2:57 pm

Wnedy C – Sorry, I don’t – my source was Living Etc who had the pouf listed as his design. You may want to contact Living Etc. if you can find an email address for them in thier magazine.
18 Holly commented:
October 4th, 2007 at 4:52 pm

These I love! I think I’m going to have to pick up one of those Morrocan ones! Thanks for sharing!
19 Eddy Ramos commented:
October 7th, 2007 at 6:03 am

Estudio dise?o y me gusta ver muchas imagenes, aporta muchas ideas totalmente originales
20 IMEDAGOZE commented:
October 9th, 2007 at 3:45 am

great post, Holly! You made me want to get one now. :)
21 minxlj commented:
October 9th, 2007 at 9:29 am

The Alseda from IKEA is already on my list for my new house, because it’s eco-friendly. And I love that they’ve made it super-affordable too. It does look very comfortable :-)
22 tiel commented:
October 9th, 2007 at 10:02 am

i’m in love with that black leaf drop…magic. Oh and by the way, I couldn’t help but notice how similar the layout of Danielle’s apartment is to the reader, Rachel’s from your August post, http://decor8.blogspot.com/2007/08/reader-q-help-my-living-room.html

there is a similar feel to me. She should take a look at this.
23 LallaLydia commented:
October 9th, 2007 at 9:24 pm

Holly, I loved this post! My husband made a pouf from some leftover couch-leather we had after he used the couch to reupholster his motorcycle seat! But now that I’ve found your link for the sewing pattern I want to make my own. Do you think a faux-suede would look nice?
I love the all-white one. Moroccan Maryam also has a nice post of poufs, as I recall. Looking forward to more stories from Germany.
24 Jennifer at Design Hole commented:
October 10th, 2007 at 4:11 am

I love the poufs from Fat Boy. They’re really light weight so you can drag them around easily. They’re perfect for parties.
25 Kat Eyez commented:
February 10th, 2008 at 5:08 am

Thanks very much for this inspiration. I have to make a box for screen printing class, and this pouf idea is just what I was searching for! Thanks so much Decor8.
26 raquel commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 3:37 am

in the first photo, I LOVE the mustard pouf with the frills around it (couldn’t find anything on his site)… but I LOVE the couch too and was wondering if you could tell me where it is from???

thanks!

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